Announcements & News
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COVID-19 Info for Students
- Keep Engaging
- Student Mental Health Resources
- Spring 2020 Fee Credits
We work closely with Associated Students and Graduate and Professional Student Association leaders to provide ongoing communication in order to keep you informed and focused on your health.
To help address the effects of COVID-19 on your experience as a Triton, we continue to curate the following list of student-centered resources and updates.
Please continue to take advantage of the following remote student resources:
Check out the following quiet locations on campus to attend remote classes in peace:
University Centers currently has the following options available for reservation:
Starting during the second week of January 2022, Open Desk will be available for students to reserve and utilize, located next to Library Walk in the Price Center.
How to reserve: https://reservations.ucsd.edu/
Study Room Reservations Guidelines:
There are six large outdoor study spaces available on campus, next to the outdoor classrooms in Revelle and Warren. Each space has tables/chairs and enhanced WiFi connectivity. Use the campus map to locate your closet Zoom-ready location.
The Geisel Library and Biomedical Library Building offer more than 30 dedicated study rooms. Spaces can be reserved in advance for your remote course.
UC San Diego maintains dozens of open-access computer labs dedicated for student use.
Visit the Virtual Student Union, your one-stop shop for fun and engaging remote student activities and events.
Chancellor's Associates Scholars Program services will be offered remotely/ via Zoom, including peer-mentoring meetings, OLC seminars, Student Success Services, student and professional staffing, and CASP staff training. Scholars can find the most up-to-date information and resources on casp.ucsd.edu and all students can sign up for our monthly e-Newsletter on our website.
All 1-to-1 mentoring appointments with students and tutorial services will continue to be offered remotely. Academic support workshops that were scheduled to be hybrid/in-person are currently being transitioned to be offered remotely. Select programs such as 2YE (2nd Year Experience), Hope Scholars, and TRIO/SSSP are also currently working on transitioning any in-person/hybrid events into virtual events instead. Students may contact their respective program staff for more information.
Virtual Peer Coaching and Professional Success Coaching meetings are available. Success Coaching workshops, events, and information sessions will be postponed or moved online until it is safe to host in-person services. Learn more on the SSCP Virtual Support page, and the Professional Success Coach Appointments and Peer Coach Appointments sites.
Please visit the Virtual Student Veterans Resource Center to find community and support. Peer Navigator appointments and drop-ins are available, as are in-center support and SVRC staff appointments.
Transfer students can take the Digital Triton Transfer Hub with them wherever, whenever. Virtual services include access to the Triton Transfer Forum, Live Streams, Virtual Meet Ups, and Online Transfer Peer Coaching. Access these resources and services by visiting our website, and continue to read our newsletters for updates and upcoming opportunities.
Individual appointments and drop-ins are available remotely, as are information sessions, workshops, and presentations. Meetings with cohorts of students in research programs will be remote, and video resources (such as recordings of previous information sessions) will continue to be available online.
For undergraduate research projects, we will continue to follow the guidelines provided by the Office of Research Affairs and local, state, and federal government officials. The program coordinators of programs that are taking place in Winter Quarter will follow up with the students and mentors in those programs. Explore our webpage to learn more.
Individual guidance consultations with professional staff will be offered by appointment through Zoom or phone call. Immigration legal consultation and services will be offered remotely. USS planned workshops or events will be offered virtually via Zoom. Please visit our Services & Programs page to learn more.
During Winter Quarter 2022, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) will continue to operate in a hybrid model, with in-person services as well as remote appointments and online services.
Beginning Jan. 3, CAPS’ central location in Galbraith Hall will be open for consultations and urgent care during normal operating hours, with additional health and safety precautions in place.
If you—or someone you know—need(s) to speak with someone or are feeling overwhelmed, please contact the following Deans of Student Affairs for personalized support and assistance:
If you are aware of the student's college affiliation, please contact their respective Dean or Assistant Dean of Student Affairs in addition to following the flowchart above.
CalHOPE is a free crisis support/ chat-line resource for Californians, designed to de-escalate COVID anxiety by offering emotional support to those with pandemic-related worries about the future.
CalHOPE may be reached at 833-317-4673 (HOPE).
Visit The Playground for both remote and in-person opportunities to stay on track with your fitness and nutrition needs during Winter Quarter 2022.
An current list of open facilities is available on Recreation's facilities page.
Updated guidance for student organization events & operations is available on the Center for Student Involvement website.
Student Health Services is open to provide care for UC San Diego students. We have implemented many changes to ensure that healthy, asymptomatic students who come to Student Health are safe and not exposed to infection. All patients and staff are masked at Student Health Services whether they are in Urgent Care or our Primary Care areas. Our pharmacy, nurses clinic, lab and X-ray are still open. Please call 858-534-3300 to speak to a nurse to determine if you need an in-person appointment or can have a video visit.
Pharmacy: Our Student Health Pharmacy is able to deliver any medications for free to students that live anywhere in California. Students can contact Student Health Pharmacy at 858-534-2135 or go through MyStudentChart and request a refill. Our pharmacy can send prescriptions for 90-day supply to students living in California via FedEx. They are unable to send controlled medications or refrigerated medications. Students have a lower copay if they fill their medications through Student Health.
Telemedicine at Student Health: Any UC San Diego student may now have video visits or telephone visits with their Student Health primary care providers if they live anywhere in California. For students with SHIP and RAFT, there is no copay or visit charge. For students without SHIP, the same visit charges apply that would be used for in-person visits.
Visit the websites below to learn more about opportunities for remote, co-curricular involvement and engagement through your Undergraduate College:
Triton Tools and Tidbits is a podcast that was borne out of the sudden shift to a remote learning environment back in March 2020 -- when the COVID-19 pandemic forced UC San Diego students to adapt to a new way of learning and connecting, while away from the traditional campus environment.
Please give a listen to the following episodes from the TTT archives, while we navigate the difficulties that arise from trying to maintain community and connectivity in a remote environment:
February 2021
Bounce Back Part 1 and Part 2
November 2020
Locus of Control
July 2020
Building Community in a Brave New World
May 2020
Mental Health Tips for Staying Sane During COVID-19
Bringing Order to Chaos: How to Increase Productivity by Mastering Unstructured Time
April 2020
School is Where the Wifi is: How to Balance Work, Life and Social Needs
Battling with the Online Lifestyle: How to Improve your Habits and Well-Being
Students may complete a Technology Lending Request Form to request a loaner laptop or hotspot for the period in which they are learning remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Upon approval, devices may be picked up starting Jan. 3 from the Bookstore on campus. Availability is limited and will be provided based on financial need.
For support and assistance from the International Students and Programs Office (ISPO), please visit:
To support our resilient students, both The Hub Basic Needs Center and Triton Food Pantry will be open with modified operational hours for the start of Winter Quarter 2022.
For questions, please visit the websites above, please email basicneeds@ucsd.edu or call 858-246-2632.
UC San Diego Library buildings – Geisel Library and the Biomedical Library Building – are fully open to UC San Diego students, faculty, staff, and the public. Masks must be worn at all times while in the Library buildings, per campus safety requirements. Food and drink are prohibited at this time.
Visit the Library Hours page to view operating hours for both buildings, as well as Special Collections & Archives. For general assistance, please call (858) 534-0134 during open hours or visit our help center.
Most of the library’s e-journals, databases, and electronic reserve materials are restricted so that only current UC San Diego faculty, staff, and students can use them on campus. Eligible users seeking off-campus access must configure their devices by using one of two VPN services.
Free KN95 masks are currently available to UC San Diego students.
Stop by to pick up your free mask today!
Triton Health Ambassadors will also have masks available as they roam throughout campus.
With proper care, a KN95 should be reusable for an extended period of time. To preserve their effectiveness, KN95 masks should be stored in a dry, safe location that's out of direct sunlight, such as a paper bag.
Replace your KN95 Mask when it:
As of March 2, 2022, students who are out of compliance with the UC vaccine mandate (including boosters) will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.
On March 7, 2022, these students will have academic holds placed on their account – meaning that they will no longer be able to add/drop Spring Quarter 2022 classes.
If you are out of compliance: please take action immediately, as failure to engage in an approved exemption process or receive your booster may impact your status as a continuing student.
We understand that there may be a number of reasons for non-compliance, and offer the solutions below to help remedy your individual situation and restore compliance with the mandate.
Fully Remote Status:
If you are not planning on coming to campus for any reason, you may request to be exempted from the vaccine mandate until you physically return. Please fill out a Remote Exemption Form for each quarter that you will be fully remote.
Religious Objection:
If you have an objection to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine based on a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance, you must fill out a Religious Exemption Form.
If you've been vaccinated and boosted but don’t see your information in MyStudentChart, be sure to upload your vaccination documentation if it was received from a non-UC San Diego provider. If you got your booster via UC San Diego and still don’t see it in MyStudentChart, please send a message via the “Ask a Nurse” function in the app.
If none of the above apply to you, schedule your booster now.
Appointments for COVID-19 vaccine boosters are available for all students at the Price Center or La Jolla/Hillcrest UC San Diego Health sites. Please click the following link to learn more about booster appointments and eligibility.
To remain fully vaccinated and up-to-date, students must complete their vaccine series and recommended booster doses in a timely manner or within 30 days of becoming eligible. If you are eligible and have not yet boosted, you will need to complete asymptomatic testing twice-a-week.
If you would have been eligible for a booster, but recently were positive for COVID-19, you will have up to 90 days after being infected to receive your booster. If you were not diagnosed or tested within the UC San Diego Health system, please message “Ask A Nurse” to provide them this information.
Students and employees who choose not to be fully vaccinated and have no approved exception, accommodation or deferral potentially put the health of others at risk and may face disciplinary actions, including referral to the Office of Student Conduct, housing action, or enrollment holds.
The health and safety of our community is paramount, and we recognize that everyone's ability to adhere to the safety guidelines put in place may vary based on individual circumstances.
If you are experiencing any barriers to accessing COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or other requirements, please contact ucsdtha@ucsd.edu to discuss the services and resources available to help support your health and compliance with campus policies and regulations.
To review the COVID-19 policies and requirements that are currently applicable to students, please visit studentcovidcompliance.ucsd.edu or returntolearn.ucsd.edu.
Please direct any questions to studentcovidmandate@health.ucsd.edu.
Sincerely,
Alysson M. Satterlund, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Angela L. Scioscia, M.D.
Interim Executive Director, Student Health and Well-Being
Your Spring Quarter 2022 COVID-19 testing requirements/protocol is dictated by multiple factors, including:
For the purposes of identifying the appropriate Spring Quarter testing protocol, it is important to distinguish between 1) testing based on the start date of your physical presence on campus after returning from Spring Break; and 2) ongoing testing frequency upon the resumption of in-person instruction.
On the first day of their physical return to campus, all students – regardless of vaccination/booster status or campus residential status – must complete a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test via a campus vending machine or scheduled drive/walk-up appointment, unless they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days.
Once you’re physically back on campus, the frequency at which you need to test is dictated by your vaccination status.
If you are FULLY VACCINATED, you are strongly encouraged to test weekly.
If you are NOT FULLY VACCINATED, you are required to test twice weekly (every 3-5 days).
What does it mean to be fully vaccinated?
You are strongly encouraged to test weekly if you are fully vaccinated.
Everyone should test immediately if they develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19, unless they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days.
What is considered not fully vaccinated?
You are required to test twice weekly (every 3-5 days) if you are not fully vaccinated.
Everyone should test immediately if they develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19, unless they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days.
If you have had COVID-19 in the past 90 days, you should NOT repeat a test – and you are exempt from the above testing requirements.
Residential students arriving after Jan. 7 should complete a rapid antigen test in the 24-48 hour-window prior to the identified arrival date on campus. You do not need to report a negative rapid antigen test. If your rapid antigen test is positive, you need to isolate where you are and email shsmr@ucsd.edu with your result.
In addition to rapid testing prior to arrival, all students – regardless of vaccination/booster status or campus residential status – must complete a PCR test via a campus vending machine or scheduled drive/walk-up appointment, unless they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days.
If you receive notice that there is a positive signal, all residential students, regardless of vaccination status, are required to complete a PCR test.
Once you’re physically back on campus, the frequency at which you need to test is dictated by your vaccination status.
If you are FULLY VACCINATED, you are strongly encouraged to test weekly; If you are NOT FULLY VACCINATED, you are required to test twice weekly (every 3-5 days).
Off-campus students should complete a rapid antigen test in the 24-48 hour-window prior to returning to San Diego. You do not need to report a negative rapid antigen test. If your rapid antigen test is positive, you need to isolate where you are and email shsmr@ucsd.edu with your result.
In addition to rapid testing prior to arrival, all students – regardless of vaccination/booster status or campus residential status – must complete a PCR test via a campus vending machine or scheduled drive/walk-up appointment, unless they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days.
Once you’re physically back on campus, the frequency at which you need to test is dictated by your vaccination status.
If you are FULLY VACCINATED, you are strongly encouraged to test weekly; If you are NOT FULLY VACCINATED, you are required to test twice weekly (every 3-5 days).
Students who test positive via a UC San Diego vending machine or clinic should remain in their residence or suite and wait to receive a MyStudentChart message from Student Health Services with additional guidance on medical care.
If you receive a positive PCR test result from a non-UC San Diego Health location, OR a positive Rapid Antigen test, you must report your results to Student Health Services by emailing shsmr@ucsd.edu so that the information may be added to your health record and you are exempted from campus testing requirements for 90 days.
International students should also notify ISPO by submitting a Health Reporting Form via iPortal.ucsd.edu.
If you are not currently in San Diego and do not have access to vending machines on campus or UC San Diego-affiliated drive/walk-up clinics, you may also choose to visit your own healthcare provider for testing.
If you receive a positive PCR test result from a non-UC San Diego Health location, you must report your results to Student Health Services by emailing shsmr@ucsd.edu so that the information may be added to your health record and you are exempted from campus testing requirements for 90 days.
Students who have a confirmed exposure to COVID-19 will be contacted by the UC San Diego COVID Response Team and guided on next steps within 24 hours. You must conduct a COVID-19 PCR test upon notification of exposure and on Day 5 after exposure and remain masked at all times for 10 days. If you are not fully vaccinated, you cannot participate in campus activities until you have a negative PCR or Rapid Antigen test on day 5.
If you have not been contacted, it is very likely you were not deemed a close contact. Learn more about exposure and contact tracing.
If you are fully remote for the entire quarter, you are not required to undergo regular COVID-19 testing until/unless you physically return to campus or University-owned property for any reason. Students who plan to be fully remote for the entire quarter must complete a Remote Form.
We strongly recommend that you get tested ASAP if you develop any symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
In the following video, GPSA President Brian Lattimore and AS President Manu Agni help break down the COVID-19 testing protocol for UC San Diego students.
Like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory tests – the kind you get from our vending machines – COVID-19 rapid antigen tests are viral tests used to detect SARS-COV-2 infection (COVID-19). They are quick to implement via self-administration, and can provide a result within 15 - 30 minutes.
Although they provide results more quickly and are convenient to use, rapid tests are less sensitive than PCR lab tests. Because of this:
Though not perfect, rapid tests are valuable for identifying asymptomatic individuals who would otherwise not know they were infected – and could potentially spread the virus to other people.
In order to maximize accuracy of rapid tests, it is imperative to follow the accompanying instructions word-for-word. Keep the test flat, and monitor the Control and Testing lines during the entire time window noted – typically 15-30 minutes.
Please visit studentcovidcompliance.ucsd.edu for the latest information on COVID-19-related Student Conduct policies.
You may click below to view a recorded presentation on COVID-19-specific Student Conduct policies.
Please visit the HDH COVID-19 FAQ page for up-to-date information.
The Teaching + Learning Commons has compiled a list of strategies, resources, and academic support offerings available to students as you prepare to make the transition to remote courses.
Like in-person classes, online courses are required to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. All course content must be provided in accessible formats. The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) is working with numerous departments, divisions, and units to communicate information regarding accommodations for students with disabilities for Fall Quarter 2021.
Please visit the OSD COVID-19 website for details, including Information for Faculty and Information for Students. Be sure to check back regularly for the latest OSD updates related to remote instruction.
Students or faculty who have specific questions or concerns about accommodations should contact osd@ucsd.edu for assistance.
As UC San Diego modifies the ways in which we conduct business and interactions move online during this pandemic, please be mindful that general privacy requirements remain intact.
Learn more about videoconferencing precautions, protecting information while telecommuting, privacy during online exams and more.
Our goal is to deliver the best educational experience possible, even under these challenging conditions.
Observing our Principles of Community in the virtual environment will help us create and maintain a positive and vibrant online learning community.
Recognize and take into consideration that our richly diverse cultures and life experiences will influence our online engagement.
Treat each other with respect and the dignity we all deserve.
If you witness or experience online behavior that constitutes harassment or discrimination, remember to report it to the Office for the Prevention of Harassment & Discrimination (OPHD).
Thank you for your careful attention as we continue to develop and revise policies, with the health, safety, and well-being of everyone at UC San Diego as our top priority.
- UC San Diego Division of Student Affairs